Swede boys return solid nucleus

Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 21:44
Written by Deb Egenberger
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 21:41

Gothenburg hopes to build around experience.

From throwing events and jumps to both sprints and distance races, the Swedes boys return a strong group of talented athletes to the track this spring.

Six state qualifiers and 16 letter winners form a nice nucleus for coach Steve Reeves.

“It’s the same age-old story though,” Reeves said. “We’re going to have to try to find some depth and we have to stay healthy.”

Strengths for the Swedes will come across the board.

Reeves has state qualifiers Tannor Mroczek back in the sprints with Andrew Collins and Brett Dockweiler in the distance races.

In between is Mark Hilderbrand who qualified in the 300-meter hurdles.

Then Reeves is looking at replacing only one runner on both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

Add in experienced boys in the shot, the pole vault and middle distance races and the Swedes are far from one-dimentional.

“We’re pretty balanced,” Reeves said. “We just don’t have a lot of depth.”

That’s something underclassmen will be working to provide.

Reeves expects the Swedes to rise to the top among Southwest Conference competition.

He said judging from the successes of the fall and winter activities in other schools and by the talent returning, Ogallala and Broken Bow could challenge Gothenburg for a conference title this season.

The Swedes edged Ogallala in the SWC meet last year.

The district will offer plenty of stiff competition again this year as Gothenburg returns to the B-6. The meet will be in Scottsbluff in May.

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